A National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students

Alpha Alpha Alpha, also known as “Tri-Alpha”, was founded March 24, 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Over 100 members of the Alpha chapter were initiated that day, including undergraduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members.  Following the successful induction, the College took steps to incorporate Alpha Alpha Alpha so that chapters could be started on other campuses across the country.  Tri-Alpha exists as a not-for-profit (501(c)3) organization, for the purposes of supporting the activities of the honors society.

Membership

Membership in the local chapter (chapter name currently pending) honors your academic achievement.  The purpose of this organization is to recognize academic excellence and provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students.

Membership Requirements:

• The student must have earned at least 30 credit hours towards a baccalaureate degree
• The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• Neither of the student’s parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s degree
• Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed at least 9 graduate-level credit hours and have a graduate GPA of at least 3.5.
• Faculty and staff may be inducted if they met the requirements above at the time of completing their bachelor’s degree. Faculty and staff inductees must be willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students.
• Both undergraduate and graduate students must pay a $15 membership fee. Faculty, staff, honorary, and alumni inductees must pay a $25 membership fee.

Selection Timeline

• January – Application Opens
• February – Application Closes
• March – New Member Induction
• April – Chapter Officer Selection